This herbed focaccia flatbread recipe delivers a delightful blend of flavors. The combination of aromatic herbs and savory cheeses on a crisp yet fluffy bread base makes for an unforgettable culinary experience. It's a versatile dish that can be served as a starter, a side, or a snack for any occasion.
While most ingredients in this recipe are pantry staples, you might want to pay special attention to a few items when you visit the supermarket. Active dry yeast is key for the bread's rise, and Gorgonzola cheese, a creamy blue cheese, provides a distinctive sharp flavor. Mixed olives and Mixed tomatoes add a delightful variation of taste and texture to the flatbread.
Ingredients for Herbed Focaccia Flatbread
Warm water: This is used to bloom the yeast, which kick-starts the fermentation process.
Active dry yeast: Yeast is a key ingredient that helps the bread to rise.
Olive oil: Adds a rich flavor to the dough and gives the bread a crispy crust.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the bread dough.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Thyme, Black Pepper, Fresh Rosemary: These herbs provide a robust flavor profile to the bread.
Mixed tomato: Adds a fresh, tangy flavor.
Caramelized onion: Delivers a sweet and savory note.
Garlic: Provides a spicy kick and depth of flavor.
Mixed olive: Olives contribute a salty, briny taste.
Parmesan cheese: It gives a nutty and savory flavor.
Mozzarella cheese: Brings a creamy texture and mild taste.
Gorgonzola cheese: This cheese adds a bold and tangy flavor to complement other ingredients.
One reader, Charmian Dallas says:
This herbed focaccia flatbread recipe is a game-changer! The aroma of fresh herbs and the crispy texture make it a delight. The caramelized onions and gorgonzola cheese take it to the next level. It's a hit every time I make it!
Techniques for Making Herbed Focaccia Flatbread
How to prepare the dough: Mix the warm water with yeast and allow it to bloom. Add olive oil to the water and mix. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and herbs. Create a well in the middle and pour in the water/yeast/oil mixture. Mix by hand until the dough comes together and forms a rough ball. Adjust the consistency by adding more flour or water as needed. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball.
How to let the dough rise: Coat the bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside. Cover and let the dough rise for about 1 hour, until it doubles in size.
How to shape the dough: Turn the risen dough out onto a prepared baking sheet and flatten it into a large rectangle. Cut the dough into 4 evenly sized rectangles and press them flat, arranging each one into a corner of the baking sheet.
How to top the dough: Using your fingers, poke the dough all over to create small dimples across the surface. Generously coat the tops of the dough rectangles with olive oil. Top the dough with mixed tomatoes, fresh rosemary, caramelized onions, garlic, mixed olives, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and gorgonzola cheese.
How to bake the flatbread: Sprinkle the breads with coarse salt and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 450 degrees F until golden brown.
How to serve: Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before cutting it into equal pieces. Enjoy!
How To Make Herbed Flatbread (Focaccia)
Herbed flatbread, often referred to as focaccia, is a savory Italian bread. This recipe will teach you how to make one at home with your choice of toppings.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Bread:
- 1½cupswarm water
- 1packactive dry yeast
- 1tbspolive oil
- 4cupsall-purpose flour
- 1tbspsalt
- ½tspthyme,dried
- ½tspblack pepper
- ½tspfresh rosemary
For Toppings:
- 8ozmixed tomato,to taste
- fresh rosemary,to taste
- ⅔cupcaramelized onion,to taste
- 2cloves garlic,minced
- 8ozmixed olive,to taste
- parmesan cheese,to taste
- mozzarella cheese,to taste
- 4ozgorgonzola cheese,to taste
Instructions
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Stir yeast packet into water and allow yeast to bloom. (A light foam should appear on top of the water after about 5 minutes. This means the yeast is alive and active.)
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Add olive oil to water and mix.
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In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and herbs together.
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Once incorporated, create a small well in the middle and pour in the water/yeast/oil mixture.
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Mix by hand, wetting working hand before mixing so the dough doesn’t stick. The water and flour should come together and form a rough dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
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If the dough is too sticky, add more flour in small increments, about 1 tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
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Once the dough begins to come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball.
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Coat the bowl the dough was initially mixed in with about a tablespoon of olive oil and place the dough ball inside. Give it a few turns to coat the dough in the oil.
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Cover and let the dough rise for about 1 hour, until it doubles in size.
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While the dough rises, prepare a large baking sheet by generously coating it with olive oil.
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Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto the prepared baking sheet and flatten it out into a large rectangle.
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Using a knife or dough scraper, cut the dough into 4 evenly sized rectangles.
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Press the rectangles flat and arrange them with each one pressed into a corner of the baking sheet.
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Cover and let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F while the dough is resting.
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Using your fingers, poke the the dough all over–creating small dimples across the surface.
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Generously coat the tops of the dough rectangles one last time with olive oil. Use a basting brush to ensure all of the dough gets covered with olive oil.
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Top the dough rectangles with desired choice of toppings.
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Once finished with the toppings, liberally sprinkle the breads with a coarse salt.
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Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
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Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before cutting into equal pieces.
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Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 680.20kcal
- Fat: 19.11g
- Saturated Fat: 6.81g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 9.35g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.68g
- Carbohydrates: 105.81g
- Fiber: 6.96g
- Sugar: 3.12g
- Protein: 21.12g
- Cholesterol: 21.26mg
- Sodium: 905.81mg
- Calcium: 238.47mg
- Potassium: 413.45mg
- Iron: 8.11mg
- Vitamin A: 91.75µg
- Vitamin C: 10.90mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Herbed Focaccia Flatbread
When kneading the dough, it's important to use the heel of your hand to push and fold the dough. This technique helps to develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a focaccia bread with a chewy texture and a good rise. Also, when poking the dimples into the dough, be sure not to press all the way through. These dimples are characteristic of focaccia and also serve a purpose - they hold onto the olive oil and any toppings, enhancing the flavor of the bread.
Time-Saving Tips for Herbed Focaccia Flatbread Recipe
Prepare the dough: To save time, use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough instead of doing it by hand. This will significantly reduce the kneading time and effort.
Prep toppings in advance: Chop and prepare all the toppings and ingredients ahead of time, so when it's time to assemble the flatbread, everything is ready to go, saving you time and stress during the cooking process.
Use pre-made dough: If you're short on time, consider using pre-made pizza dough from the store as a time-saving alternative to making the dough from scratch.
Multi-task: While the dough is rising, use that time to prepare the toppings or attend to other kitchen tasks to maximize efficiency.
Preheat the oven: Make sure to preheat the oven while the dough is resting to save time and ensure the oven is at the optimal temperature when it's time to bake the flatbread.
Invest in a pizza stone: Using a pizza stone can help speed up the baking process and ensure a crispy crust, as it retains and evenly distributes heat, resulting in a quicker and more consistent bake.
Batch cooking: Consider making a double batch of the dough and freezing half for future use, saving time on the dough-making process for your next flatbread creation.
Organize your workspace: Before you start, make sure your workspace is organized and all the necessary tools and ingredients are easily accessible, which can streamline the cooking process and save time.
Substitute Ingredients For Herbed Flatbread (Focaccia) Recipe
active dry yeast - Substitute with instant yeast: Instant yeast can be added directly to the dry ingredients without needing to be activated in warm water, making it a convenient substitute for active dry yeast.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with bread flour: Bread flour has a higher protein content, which will result in a chewier texture and better rise for the focaccia.
thyme - Substitute with oregano: Oregano has a similar earthy and slightly minty flavor to thyme, making it a suitable substitute in the herbed focaccia.
fresh rosemary - Substitute with dried rosemary: Dried rosemary can be used in place of fresh rosemary, but use a smaller quantity as dried herbs are more potent.
mixed tomato - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can add a burst of sweetness and color to the focaccia, and their smaller size makes them easier to distribute evenly.
caramelized onion - Substitute with sautéed onion: Sautéed onions can provide a similar sweet and savory flavor to the focaccia, although they may not have the same depth of flavor as caramelized onions.
mixed olive - Substitute with kalamata olives: Kalamata olives have a rich, fruity flavor and a meaty texture, which can add a delicious briny and salty element to the focaccia.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino Romano cheese: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and nutty flavor to Parmesan, making it a suitable substitute for adding savory depth to the focaccia.
mozzarella cheese - Substitute with fontina cheese: Fontina cheese has a rich and creamy texture, and it melts beautifully, making it a great substitute for mozzarella in the focaccia.
gorgonzola cheese - Substitute with blue cheese: Blue cheese has a similar tangy and pungent flavor to gorgonzola, making it a suitable substitute for adding a bold and creamy element to the focaccia.
Presenting Herbed Focaccia Flatbread
Artfully arrange the toppings: Carefully place the mixed tomato, fresh rosemary, caramelized onion, garlic, mixed olive, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and gorgonzola cheese in an aesthetically pleasing manner on top of the focaccia flatbread.
Incorporate elegant plating: Utilize a sleek, modern serving platter or wooden board to present the herbed focaccia flatbread, enhancing the visual appeal and sophistication of the dish.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle additional fresh rosemary over the finished flatbread to add a pop of color and a fragrant, aromatic element to the presentation.
Serve with a side of infused olive oil: Accompany the herbed focaccia flatbread with a small dish of high-quality olive oil infused with herbs and spices, elevating the overall dining experience.
Use high-quality serving utensils: Opt for polished, professional-grade tongs or a bread knife to portion and serve the flatbread, showcasing attention to detail and culinary finesse.
Present on a rustic wooden board: For a touch of rustic elegance, serve the herbed focaccia flatbread on a wooden board, adding a warm and inviting element to the presentation.
Incorporate edible flowers: Introduce delicate, edible flowers as a subtle yet striking garnish, enhancing the visual appeal and adding a touch of refinement to the dish.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the serving platter, allowing the focaccia flatbread to stand out as the focal point of the presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Focaccia Flatbread
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining the ingredients and kneading the dough for the focaccia flatbread.
Baking sheet: A baking sheet is used to shape and bake the focaccia flatbread.
Knife or dough scraper: A knife or dough scraper is used to cut the dough into rectangles and shape the flatbread.
Basting brush: A basting brush is used to evenly coat the dough with olive oil before baking.
Oven: The oven is used for baking the focaccia flatbread until it turns golden brown.
Food processor: A food processor can be used to mix and knead the dough for the flatbread.
Measuring cups and spoons: Measuring cups and spoons are used to accurately measure the ingredients for the flatbread recipe.
Cutting board: A cutting board can be used for chopping and preparing the toppings for the flatbread.
Bread knife: A bread knife is used to cut the baked focaccia flatbread into equal pieces before serving.
Storing and Freezing Herbed Focaccia Flatbread
To store the herbed focaccia flatbread, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help prevent the bread from drying out and maintain its freshness.
Once wrapped, the focaccia can be stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you prefer a softer crust, store the bread in an airtight container or plastic bag.
For longer storage, you can freeze the focaccia for up to 1 month. To freeze, wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Place the wrapped bread in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
When ready to enjoy the frozen focaccia, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 2-3 hours. You can also thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
To reheat the thawed focaccia, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the bread and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through and the crust is crispy again. For a softer crust, wrap the bread in foil before reheating.
If you want to freeze individual portions of the focaccia, cut the bread into desired sizes before wrapping and freezing. This way, you can easily thaw and reheat only the amount you need.
How To Reheat Leftover Focaccia Flatbread
To reheat leftover herbed focaccia flatbread, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the focaccia on a baking sheet and lightly brush the surface with olive oil. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is heated through and the surface is crispy.
For a quicker method, you can use a toaster oven. Set the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the focaccia on the wire rack. Toast for 3-5 minutes, or until the bread is heated through and the surface is crispy.
If you prefer a softer texture, wrap the focaccia in aluminum foil before reheating in the oven. This will help retain moisture and prevent the bread from drying out. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the bread is heated through.
For a crispy exterior and a soft interior, reheat the focaccia on a stovetop griddle or cast-iron skillet. Heat the griddle or skillet over medium heat and lightly brush the surface with olive oil. Place the focaccia on the griddle or skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the bread is heated through and the surface is crispy.
If you have a microwave, you can reheat the focaccia by placing it on a microwave-safe plate and heating it on high power for 15-20 seconds. However, keep in mind that this method may result in a softer texture and less crispy surface.
Interesting Fact About Herbed Focaccia Flatbread
Focaccia is an Italian flatbread that dates back to ancient Rome, where it was a popular staple food among the Roman soldiers. It was originally cooked on the hearth and seasoned with olive oil and herbs. Over time, different variations of focaccia have emerged, incorporating various toppings and flavors to create a versatile and delicious bread enjoyed worldwide.
Is Making Herbed Focaccia Flatbread at Home Cost-Effective?
The herbed focaccia flatbread recipe is quite cost-effective for a household, as it utilizes basic ingredients like flour, water, yeast, and olive oil. The addition of herbs and cheese may slightly increase the cost, but the versatility of the recipe allows for customization based on budget and preference. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$15, making it a budget-friendly option. Overall Verdict: 9.
Is Herbed Focaccia Flatbread Healthy or Unhealthy?
The herbed focaccia flatbread recipe is a delicious and aromatic bread that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a main course. However, from a nutritional standpoint, this recipe has some areas that could be improved to make it healthier.
The main ingredients in the bread itself are all-purpose flour, olive oil, and salt. While olive oil is a healthy fat, the recipe calls for a significant amount of it, which can increase the calorie and fat content of the bread. Additionally, all-purpose flour is a refined grain that lacks the fiber and nutrients found in whole grain flours.
The toppings for the focaccia include a variety of cheeses, olives, and caramelized onions. While these ingredients add flavor and texture to the bread, they also contribute to the overall fat and sodium content of the dish.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to increase the fiber content and nutritional value of the bread
- Reduce the amount of olive oil used in the recipe, or use a cooking spray instead to lightly coat the baking sheet and the top of the dough
- Opt for lower fat cheese options, such as part-skim mozzarella or reduced-fat feta, and use them in moderation
- Increase the amount of vegetables used as toppings, such as sliced bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant, to boost the nutrient content of the dish
- Use fresh herbs, such as basil or oregano, to add flavor without increasing the sodium content
By making these adjustments, you can create a healthier version of the herbed focaccia flatbread that still retains its delicious taste and texture. Additionally, be mindful of portion sizes when consuming this bread, as it can be easy to overeat due to its savory flavors and appealing toppings.
Editor's Take on This Herbed Focaccia Flatbread Recipe
The herbed focaccia flatbread recipe is a delightful combination of classic flavors and textures. The incorporation of thyme, black pepper, and fresh rosemary adds a fragrant and savory dimension to the bread, while the toppings of mixed tomatoes, caramelized onions, and a variety of cheeses provide a harmonious balance of sweetness and richness. The baking process results in a golden brown crust that promises a satisfying crunch, complementing the soft and airy interior. This recipe offers a versatile canvas for customization, making it a versatile and impressive addition to any meal or gathering.
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Why trust this Herbed Flatbread (Focaccia) Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a delicious and authentic focaccia experience. The use of active dry yeast ensures a perfect rise, while olive oil adds a rich flavor. The combination of thyme, black pepper, and fresh rosemary infuses the bread with aromatic herbaceous notes. Toppings like mixed tomatoes, caramelized onions, and assorted olives provide a burst of flavors. The blend of parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and gorgonzola cheese adds a creamy and indulgent finish. This recipe promises a delightful and trustworthy herbed focaccia flatbread experience.
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